Mamata demands army deployment in Maoist affected areas

New Delhi: The Trinamool Congress on Friday
climbed down from its demand for imposition of President`s
Rule in West Bengal saying it wanted rule of law to prevail,
but demanded deployment of army in three Maoist-affected
districts of the Left-Front ruled state.

"We are not asking for Article 356 (President`s Rule)
to win elections. Government must act as per the Constitution
and protect the minorities, women and weaker sections in West
Bengal," TC Chief and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee told
reporters after meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
here.

Trinamool Congress members yesterday created a ruckus
in the Lok, protesting the CPI(M)`s "continuous attack" on its
workers in West Bengal, leading to brief adjournment of the
House.

Banerjee said her party had won the recent Lok Sabha
polls, assembly by-elections and local bodies "without Article
356. We just want to protect our democratic system and safety
and security of the people. We are neither for Article 355 nor
Article 356. We want the genocide to stop in Bengal."

However, Banerjee demanded deployment of army in the
Maoist-affected districts of West Midnapur, Purulia and
Bankura "to recover arms being used by Maoists and to restore
law and order in the area".

Asked whether she stuck to the demand for imposition
of President`s Rule in the state, she said "we are for
genocide to stop and rule of the law must prevail."

Banerjee along with her party delegation met Manmohan
Singh here this afternoon.